The True Use of Music. LISTED into the cause of sin,

Why should a good be evil? Music, alas! too long has been

Pressed to obey the devilDrunken, or lewd, or light, the lay Flowed to the soul's undoingWidened and strewed with flowers, way Down to eternal ruin.

Who on the part of God will rise,
Innocent sound recover —

Fly on the prey, and take the prize,
Plunder the carnal lover-
Strip him of every moving strain,
Every melting measure-
Music in virtue's cause retain,
Rescue the holy pleasure?

Come let us try if Jesus' love
Will not as well inspire us;
This is the theme of those above-
This upon earth shall fire us.
Say, if your hearts are tuned to sing
Is there a subject greater?
Harmony all its strains may bring;
Jesus' name is sweeter.

What is Prayer?

PRAYER is the soul's sincere desire,

Uttered or unexpressed The motion of a hidden fire

That trembles in the breast.

Prayer is the burthen of a sigh,
The falling of a tear-
The upward glancing of an eye,
When none but God is near.

Prayer is the simplest form of speech

That infant lips can tryPrayer the sublimest strains that reach The majesty on high.

Prayer is the contrite sinner's voice

Returning from his ways,
While angels in their songs rejoice,
And cry," Behold he prays!"

Prayer is the Christian's vital breath
The Christian's native air-
His watchword at the gates of death-
He enters heaven with prayer.

The saints in prayer appear as one
In word, and deed, and mind,
While with the Father and the Son

Sweet fellowship they find.

Nor prayer is made by man alone —
The Holy Spirit pleads-
And Jesus, on the eternal throne,
For sinners intercedes.

O Thou by whom we come to God -
The life, the truth, the way!
The path of prayer Thyself hast trod;
Lord, teach us how to pray!

Hymn.

JAMES MONTGOMERY.

In darker days and nights of storm, Men knew Thee but to fear thy form; And in the reddest lightning saw Thine arm avenge insulted law.

In brighter days we read Thy love In flowers beneath, in stars above; And in the track of every storm Behold Thy beauty's rainbow form.

And in the reddest lightning's path
We see no vestiges of wrath,
But always wisdom,- perfect love,
From flowers beneath to stars above.

See, from on high sweet influence rains On palace, cottage, mountains, plains; No hour of wrath shall mortal fear, For Thou, the God of Love, art here.

THEODORE PARKER.

Trust in Providence.

WHILE Thee I seek, protecting Power,
Be my vain wishes stilled;
And may this consecrated hour
With better hopes be filled.

Thy love the power of thought bestowed;
To Thee my thoughts would soar:
Thy mercy o'er my life has flowed;
That mercy I adore!

In each event of life, how clear
Thy ruling hand I see!
Each blessing to my soul more dear
Because conferred by Thee!

In every joy that crowns my days, In every pain I bear,

My heart shall find delight in praise, Or seek relief in prayer.

When gladness wings my favored hour, Thy love my thoughts shall fill; Resigned, when storms of sorrow lower, My soul shall meet Thy will.

My lifted eye, without a tear,

The gathering storm shall see;
My steadfast heart shall know no fear:
That heart shall rest on Thee!

HELEN MARIA WILLIANS.